EFFECT OF SLEEP RESTRICTION ON RECOVERY FROM MUSCLE DAMAGE: A RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY.
MUSCLE DAMAGE; SLEEP RESTRICTION; ECCENTRIC EXERCISE; RECOVERY.
Background: Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) commonly occurs after physical activity, particularly when eccentric muscle actions are performed without prior adaptation. EIMD is characterized by elevated inflammatory markers (CK, LDH), muscle soreness, strength reduction, and edema. Sleep is possible fundamental for skeletal muscle recovery, facilitating functional restoration and modulating inflammatory responses. This study aimed to compare two nights of partial sleep restriction (SR) with habitual sleep (HS), examining the effects on markers of muscle damage and recovery responses under these distinct conditions. The aim of this study was to compare EIMD-related variables under SR and HS conditions. Methods: Sixteen physically untrained men (age: 28,2±5,5; height: 170,6±6,2cm; weight: 77,1±12,4 kg; body fat %: 28,7±6,4) were evaluated in the laboratory for CK, LDH, muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI), bioelectrical impedance (phase angle(PhA)), pain sensitivity (PS), and maximal strength (1RM). Subsequently, participants underwent an EIMD protocol consisting of six sets of ten eccentric repetitions at 130% of their one-repetition maximum, with each repetition lasting four seconds. Baseline assessments were repeated immediately after the EIMD protocol, and at 24 h and 48 h post-exercise. Results: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare time and interaction measures, For CK and LDH, GEE was used. Significances of time were found in the variables of AC [F(1,15)= 62.6 P≤ 0,001], MT [F(1,15)= 47.7 P≤ 0,001], EI [F(1,15)= 9.16 P≤ 0,001], PS[F(1,15)= 19.5 P≤ 0,001], PT[F(1,15)= 13.9 P≤ 0,001], PhA [F(1,15)= 5.1 P≤ 0,04], 1RM [F(1,15)= 62.3 P≤ 0,001], CK [W(3)= 35,4 p≤ 0,001], LDH [W(3)= 51,4 p≤ 0,001]. No significant interaction values were found between the SR and HS conditions in all variables. Conclusion: No differences were observed between the HS and HR conditions in the variables analyzed. Therefore, partial sleep restriction did not interfere with the recovery of muscle damage.